Bedside drainage receptacle support means



Oct. 3, 1967 w. w. SCOTT ETAL 3,345,023

BEDSIDE DRAINAGE RECEPTACLE SUPPORT MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 27, 1965 INVENTOES. VV/ZL/HM W 5:07?" MEL w/v S/MMo/wS a Wm, a? @411 flrmeA/EY:

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,345,023 BEDSIDE DRAINAGE RECEPTACLE SUPPORT MEANS William W. Scott, Covina, and Melvin Simmonds, Pacific Palisades, Califi, assignors to Resiflex Laboratory, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed May 27, 1965, Ser. No. 459,246 8 Claims. (Cl. 248-95) This invention relates to a support means for a drainage receptacle or bag and more particularly to a bedside support means for a bag and tube of a drainage system for body fluids from a bed patient.

.It is often desirable in hospitals to attach a drainage receptacle or bag in convenient relation to a bed patient so that body fluids from the patient may readily drain into the receptacle. Such body fluids may include those resulting from surgery as well as urinary discharges. Since the drainage bag should be located lower than the patient,

a suitable place to suspend or hang such a drainage bag is from a bed frame member. Hospital beds now in use include articulated bed sections which are adjustable so that the patients body may be disposed in different positions. Head sections and intermediate sections of hospital beds are presently adapted to be adjusted to inclined positions in which a bed frame member no longer is horizontally disposed. Such adjustable hospital beds have rendered certain prior proposed bedside supporting devices for drainage bags awkward to attach to the bed frame and to efifectively use. For example, when it is necessary to attach such prior supporting devices to a bed frame member which may be adjustably inclined, the drainage bag may not be properly oriented and may be tilted in such a manner that its full capacity may not be used and fluid may even drain therefrom.

Generally speaking, the present invention contemplates a bedside drainage bag support means which will obviate the disadvantages of prior proposed support devices and which will permit immediate convenient adjustment of the position of the drainage bag with respect to the bed frame member so that the bag will be properly oriented for collection of fluid. The present invention contemplates a support means which includes an upper support bar member adjustably pivotally mounted on a mounting means which is readily attachable to a bed frame member and a lower bag carrier member which is releasably connected to the upper support bar member, which releasably holds'the drainage bag, and which is provided with a handle portion to facilitate removal and transportting of the bag when it is filled with fluid.

The primary object of the present invention therefore is to disclosed and provide a support means for a drainage bag which is readily attachable to a bed frame member and which includes adjustment means for maintaining a bag carrier member in desired oriented position for collection of fluid.

An object of the invention is to disclose and provide a bedside drainage bag support means which may be inexpensively manufactured of plastic material adapted for continual use or for inexpensive disposal.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a bedside drainage bag support means wherein a sup port bar member is readily adjustable positioned to a horizontal position with respect to a supporting bed frame member.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a support means wherein a bag carrier member is releasably connectable to a support bar and wherein a drainage bag is readily removably held by said carrier member.

-A still further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a support means for a drainage bag wherein said support means includes clamping means for positioning and holding a drainage tube adapted to be inserted into a selected opening in the drainage bag.

Still another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a bag carrier member for use with such a bedside drainage bag support means wherein the carrier member includes a handle portion to facilitate transport of a filled bag as well as to facilitate release of the carrier member and bag from a support bar member.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an adjustable hospital bed showing a bedside drainage bag support means embodying this invention attached to a bed frame member.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective exploded View of the support means shown in FIG. 1, the bed frame member and the drainage bag being fragmentarily shown.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view of a retainer member and support bar used in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the support means shown in FIG. 1, portionsof the support bar bag carrier member, and drainage bag being broken away to better show the structure.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse view taken in the plane indicated by line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in the longitudinal plane indicated by line VIVI of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing angular adjustment of the support bar with the mounting plate and bed frame to maintain the drainage bag in horizontal position.

An exemplary bedside drainage bag support means embodying this invention is generally indicated at 10 (FIG. 1). Support means 10 is shown attached to a frame member 11 of a head section of an adjustable bed frame means 12, said adjsutable bed frame means 12 being carried by parallel horizontal bed rail means 14 and head and foot board means 15 and 16 respectively. The support means 10 is positioned with its drainage bag 18 in horizontal position so that the inclined position of the frame member 11 will not adversely alfect drainage of body fluids into the bag or unwanted leakage or spillage of such fluid from the bag.

Generally speaking, the bedside drainage bag support means 10 includes a mounting plate means 20, a support bar member 21 pivotally mounted thereon, and a bag carrier member 22 releasably connectable to the support bar member 21. The carrier member 22 supports a drainage bag 23 of suitable manufacture for collection of body fluids. Drainage bag 23 may be a sterile sealed disposable plastic bag provided with a pair of spaced bag top hem portions 24, one upper corner of said bag being adapted to be cut on a selected'bias as at 25 (FIG. 4) to provide a selected tube opening 27 in such corner of the bag to receive a drainage tube 26 of selected size. Such bags usually provide diagonal marking lines for two sizes of tubes generally used in bedside drainage applications.

The mounting plate means 20 may comprise a mounting plate 3%) of angle section having a vertically disposed plate portion 31 and a horizontally disposed plate portion 32 adapted to seat against contiguous vertical and horizontal surfaces on frame member 11.

Means for securing mounting plate 30 to frame 11 may comprise a flexible strap 33 of suitable material having one end 34 (FIG. 5) provided with an opening 35 for locking engagement with a rearwardly and downwardly directed projection 36 provided on the back of plate portion 31. Strap 33 extends upwardly to pass through a top slot 37 for passage over horizontal portion 30 between parallel upstanding strap guide and positioning ribs 38. Strap 33 may pass behind frame 11 and then extend downwardly and forwardly to pass beneath the bottom edge of frame 11 for selective looping through one of adjacent pairs of horizontal slots 39 in the lower section of plate portion 31. The other end 40 of strap 33 may be secured by suitable means, if desired, or may be unsecured. Usually the strap loop, tightly drawn and formed through slots 39, frictionally retains said strap under sufficient tension to hold the mounting plate in a selected location on the frame member 11.

Pivotal mounting means for support bar member 21 may comprise an outwardly projecting circular annular bearing flange 42 integrally formed on plate portion 31 between top slot 37 and bottom slots 39. An annular base shoulder 43 may encircle flange 42. Annular flange 42 provides a pivotal bearing receivable within an annular pivot sleeve 44 integrally formed on the back face of support bar 21 (FIG. 3). Sleeve 44 includes a circular edge face 45 provided with radial serrations thereon adapted to cooperate with mating serrations on shoulder 43 to facilitate maintaining the support bar in a selected position relative to the mounting plate. The sleeve 44 receives therewithin annular bearing flange 42 and axial reception of said flange is limited by an inwardly extending lip 46 on sleeve 44 and which may seat on the top edge face of annular flange 42.

Means for retaining the support bar member 21 in assembly with mounting plate 30 may comprise a retainer button or member 48 having a polygonal-shaped head 49 from which may extend a plurality of angularly spaced prongs 50 integrally formed with an annular base 51 adapted to be positioned and received within opening 52 formed by lip 46 of the support bar. In this example, three prongs 50 spaced 120 degrees apart are shown, and each prong 50 may include an end tooth 53. Each prong 50 is received within an associated opening 54 provided in plate portion 31 within annular flange 42 for snapping interlocking engagement of tooth 53 with the back surface of wall portion 31. The tolerances between the bearing flanges, sleeves, and retainer member 48 permit restrained but relatively easy angular rotation of support bar 21 with respect to mounting plate means 30 and thus frame member 11.

The support bar 21 includes an elongated body member 56 of generally truss shape and of channel section as shown in FIG. 3. On opposite sides of pivotal mounting sleeve 44 body member 56 may be provided spaced socket-type attachment means 57 for cooperation with lug elements 58 on carrier member 22. In this exam le each attachment means 57 is formed integral with body member 56 and provides spaced socket portions 59 extending from the outer face of body member 56 and defining a vertical space 60 therebetween for reception of parallel end sections 61 on diverging yoke arms 62 of carrier member 22. Each lug element 58 may be of inverted T-section and extends laterally beyond adjacent end section 61 so that carrier member 22 may be positioned with lugs 58 above socket portions 57 and sections 61 may be received in spaces 60 and lugs 58 lowered into connecting relation with socket portions 59. Thus, assembly of carrier member 22 with support bar 21 is readily accomplished. Lifting member 22 upwardly readily disconnects lugs 58 from sockets 57 for disassembly.

Support bar 21 also includes at one end thereof a body member extension 64 having integrally formed therewith a pair of sidewardly extending tube clamp means 65. Each tube clamp means 65 comprises pairs of outwardly directed and inwardly curved integral fingers 66 having sufficient inherent resiliency to receive a selected diameter drainage tube and to frictionally retain said tube in a selected position.

The bag carrier member 22 includes, at bottom ends Of diverging yoke arms 62, an integrally reinforced elongated straight carrier portion 70 of suitable section. Portion 70 includes oppositely disposed end sections 71 of reduced section to provide upwardly facing recesses 72 adapted to receive and retain bag hem portions 24. Outwardly of each end section 71, portion 70 includes tapered or pointed end extremities 73 to facilitate inserting extremity 73 and end section 71 into the tubular opening of hem portion 24. It will be noted that the recesses 72 includes adjacent each extremity 73 an undercut notch 74 adapted to receive and prevent the edge of hem 24 from slipping thereover in the event member 22 is tilted. Inwardly of recess 72 the top edge face of portion 70 includes an inclined face 75 which facilitates slippage of the inner edg of hem 24 over inner portions of carrier member 22 during assembly of bag 23 with the carrier member.

Bag carrier member 22 also includes handle means for facilitating transport of a filled drainage bag, said handle means including a transverse portion 78 integral with and interconnecting diverging yoke arms 62 between their ends and spaced above the central portion of member 70. A finger opening 79 is thus provided of suflicient size to readily admit fingers of a hand. It will thus be apparent that carrier member 22 may be readily grasped by handle portion 78 and lifted upwardly to disconnect bag carrier member 22 from the support bar.

Assembly and operation of the supporting means 10 described above is already apparent from the above description. Briefly mounting plate 30 is located on the frame member 11 and attached thereto by flexible strap 33. The support bar member 21 may then be readily assembled with the mounting plate 30 by positioning sleeve 44 over the annular bearing collar 42 and by adjustably rotatably locking support bar member 21 to the mounting plate by retainer button 48. The support bar member 21 may thus be readily turned with respect to the axis of the annular bearing means so as to locate the support bar in a horizontal position which also determines the position of drainage bag 23. Bag 23, provided with spaced end bag hems 24, may be readily assembled with carrier member 22 by first slipping one hem over end section 71, sliding that hem portion 24 over the adjacent central portion of the carrier member so that the opposite hem 24 extends beyond the opposite end section 71 for ensleeving section 71 thereinto. Reverse lateral displacement of bag 23 will then position both bag hems 24 at their associated sections 71 to position and hold the bag on the carrier member. During the assembly of bag 23 with carrier member 22, the carrier member may be conveniently held by handle portion 78 and upon such assembly the bag carrier member may be connected with the support bar by aligning parallel sections 61 of the yoke arms with the spaces 60 and then dropping the lug elements into the socket portions 57.

Prior to assembly of bag 23 with the carrier member, the corner of the bag may be out along a selected marking for providing opening 27 at the upper corner of the bag for a selected diameter drainage tube. The drainage tube, which may extend from a body opening or cavity of the patient, may be directed to the support bar and positioned in tube clamp means 65 where it is frictionally held in position. The free-end of tube 26 may be inserted into opening 27 so that fluid draining from the patient may be collected by the bag.

When the patient desires to change the position of the bed and the head section is raised to an inclined position so that frame member 11 is further inclined or returned to horizontal position, it will be readily apparent that support bar 21 may be provided to horizontal position by applying pressure in the desired direction to one end of the bar, the support bar turning about the annular bearing means heretofore described.

When the drainage bag is filled with fluid and it is desired to remove the bag from the bed and to replace it with an empty bag, the tube 26 may be withdrawn from the bag opening 27 and repositioned in the tube clamp so that the free end of the tube is directed upwardly. The bag and carrier member may then be disassembled from the support bar and the bag carried to a disposal location. The bag is readily removed by laterally displacing the hems with respect to the bag carrier member and a new bag may be assembled on the carrier member as previously described. The bag and carrier member may then be assembled with the support bar as described above. Since the free end of the drainage tube may be held by the clamp means during use and assembly and disassembly of the drainage bag with the support means, there is no contamination of the tube other than air borne bacteria.

It will readily be understood that the mounting plate, support bar, and bag carrier member may be made of any suitable material and preferably may be made of a readily moldable inexpensive plastic material which may be readily cleaned and sterilized if desired. While mounting plate 30 is illustrated as of angle section, other section shapes may :be used. Such a mounting plate may also carry permanent magnets instead of a strap in order to secure and position the mounting plate with respect to a frame member.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made in the support means described above which come within the spirit of the invention and all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

We claim:

1. In a support means for a liquid drainage system to be associated with a bed frame member or the like and including: a drainage bag; a mounting plate having means for attaching said plate to a frame member; a support bar transverse to the mounting plate and having opposite end portions; means connecting said plate and bar for horizontal positioning of said bar; a bag carrier member having end extremities opposite said end portions; and interengageable means at said bar end portions and at said carrier member end extremities releasably connecting said carrier member and bag as a unit with said support bar, said carrier member having means adjacent said end extremities for releasably holding said drainage bag, said carrier member having a handle portion for transporting said bag in assembly therewith when the carrier member and bar are disconnected.

2. In a support means for a drainage receptacle for use with a bed frame member or the like comprising: a mounting plate means; means for securing said plate means on a bed frame member; an elongated support bar extending transversely of the plate means; means on said plate means and on said support bar for pivotally mounting said support bar on said plate means; a carrier for a drainage receptacle; said carrier member extending transversely of the plate means and substantially coextensive in length with the support bar; attachment means at opposite ends of said support bar and spaced means at ends of said carrier member cooperable with the attachment means to releasably connect said carrier member to said support bar with said receptacle in assembly with the carrier member; said carrier member having means for detachably holding said receptacle; said carrier member including a handle portion.

3. In a support means for a drainage receptacle for use with a bed frame member or the like comprising: a mounting plate means; means for securing said plate means on a bed frame member; an elongated support bar; means on said plate means and on said support bar for pivotally mounting said support bar onsaid plate means; a carrier member for a drainage receptacle; attachment means including spaced socket portions on said support bar and spaced lugs on said carrier member cooperable to releasably connect said carrier member with said receptacle thereon to said support bar; means on said support bar for positioning and retaining a drainage tube; said carrier member having means for detachably holding said receptacle in assembly therewith for detachment from said support bar; said carrier member including a handle portion for transporting said receptacle when said carrier member is detached from said support bar.

4. In a support means for a drainage receptacle for use with a bed frame member or the like comprising: a mounting plate means; a strap connected with said mounting plate means for securing said plate means on a bed frame member; an elongated support bar; means on said plate means and on said support bar for pivotally mounting said support bar on said plate means; a carrier member for a receptacle; attachments means including spaced socket portions on said support bar and spaced lugs on said carrier member cooperable to releasably connect said carrier member and said receptacle to said support bar; means on said support bar for positioning and retaining a drainage tube; said carrier member having means for detachably holding said receptacle; said carrier member and receptacle being releasable in assembly from said support bar; said carrier member including a handle portion for transporting said receptacle in assembly therewith when said carrier member is detached from said support bar.

5. In a support means for a drainage receptacle for use with a bed frame member or the like comprising:

a mounting plate means;

means for securing said plate means on a bed frame member;

an elongated support bar;

means on said plate means and on said support bar for pivotally mounting said support bar on said plate means;

a carrier member for a drainage receptacle;

attachment means including spaced socket portions on said support bar and spaced lugs on said carrrier member cooperable to releasably connect said carrier member with said receptacle thereon to said support bar;

said carrier member having means for detachably holding said receptacle in assembly therewith for detachment from said support bar;

said carrier member including a handle portion for transporting said receptacle when said carrier member is detached from said support bar.

6. In a support means for a bedside drainage receptacle, the combination of: a support bar; mounting means for said support bar on a bed frame member; and a bag carrier member releasably connectable to said support bar, said support bar including an elongated body member, a pair of spaced upwardly facing integral socket means on said body member, said body member having an extension beyond one of said socket means, tube clamp means integrally formed on said extension; said carrier member including a pair of diverging yoke arms, each carrying a lug element for releasable reception in a socket means on said support bar, an elongated body portion terminating in reduced end sections providing upwardly facing recesses for receiving and holding spaced hem portions of a drainage bag, said carrier member including a handle portion interconnecting said diverging yoke arms.

7. An integral molded bag carrier member comprising: an elongated body portion terminating in tapered end extremities and having end sections with upwardly facing recesses inwardly of said extremities; spaced upwardly diverging yoke arms integral with a central section of said body portion and terminating in spaced parallel aligned lug elements for connection to an associated support bar,

their ends and spaced from the central section to define a central opening for reception of fingers of a hand.

8. A bag carrier member as stated in claim 7 wherein said end sections at outer ends of said recesses have undercut notches to restrain a bag from outwardly slipping from said end extremities.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Dietrich 148- 311 Beach 150-1 Garth 248-400 X Cronin 248-95 X CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

R. I. SEITTER, Assistant Ex miner. 

1. IN A SUPPORT MEANS FOR A LIQUID DRAINAGE SYSTEM TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A BED FRAME MEMBER OR THE LIKE AND INCLUDING: A DRAINAGE BAG; A MOUNTING PLATE HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHING SAID PLATE TO A FRAME MEMBER; A SUPPORT BAR TRANSVERSE TO THE MOUNTING PLATE AND HAVING OPPOSITE END PORTIONS; MEANS CONNECTING SAID PLATE AND BAR FOR HORIZONTAL POSITIONING OF SAID BAR; A BAG CARRIER MEMBER HAVING END EXTREMITIES OPPOSITE SAID END PORTIONS; AND INTERENGAGEABLE MEANS AT SAID BAR END PORTIONS AND AT SAID CARRIER MEMBER END EXTREMITIES RELEASABLY CONNECTING SAID CARRIER MEMBER AND BAG AS A UNIT WITH SAID SUPPORT BAR, SAID CARRIER MEMBER HAVING MEANS ADJACENT SAID END EXTREMITIES FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING SAID DRAINAGE BAG, SAID CARRIER MEMBER HAVING A HANDLE PORTION FOR TRANSPORTING SAID BAG IN ASSEMBLY THEREWITH WHEN THE CARRIER MEMBER AND BAR ARE DISCONNECTED. 